For four decades, People magazine's coveted "Sexiest Man Alive" title has captivated audiences, celebrating not just physical attractiveness but also the charisma, talent, and style that define Hollywood's most compelling figures. Since its inception with Mel Gibson, this annual feature has crowned actors, athletes, and musicians who embody the essence of desirability, sparking conversations and anticipation worldwide.
As Jonathan Bailey takes the coveted crown for 2025, marking the feature's 40th anniversary, we're taking a thrilling journey back through the last ten years of iconic men who graced the cover. From global sports legends to superhero titans and beloved TV stars, each selection tells a unique story of rising fame and enduring appeal. Let's delve into the remarkable careers and magnetic personalities of People's Sexiest Men Alive from 2015 to 2025.
2015: David Beckham kicked off our decade review, a name synonymous with both athletic prowess and unparalleled style. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and LA Galaxy midfielder, who retired from professional football in 2013, represented England in three FIFA World Cups. Beyond the pitch, his highly publicized marriage to Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, along with their four children, has made them a power couple. A recent Netflix docuseries, "Beckham," offered an intimate look into their lives. Notably, after receiving an OBE in 2003, Beckham was knighted by King Charles in November 2025, overcoming a past tax avoidance controversy.
In 2016, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson flexed his way onto the cover. This multi-hyphenate star famously transitioned from a 10-time world champion in WWE's "Attitude era" to a Hollywood box office king. His acting career began in 2001 with "The Mummy" and "The Scorpion King," and he's since starred in blockbusters like Disney's "Moana," the "Fast and the Furious" franchise, "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," and "Baywatch." Beyond his on-screen might, Johnson made headlines in 2023 for a historic seven-figure donation to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the largest single individual contribution ever received for strike relief.
The spotlight shifted to the world of country music in 2017 with Blake Shelton. Shelton became a force in the genre with his 2001 debut single "Austin," which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks. His self-titled debut album quickly achieved platinum status. Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2014, Shelton also cemented his television presence as a popular coach on "The Voice" from 2011 until his final season in 2022.
2018 marked a historic moment with Idris Elba, the first Black celebrity in the 2000s to grace the Sexiest Man Alive cover, following Denzel Washington in 1996. The British actor gained critical acclaim for his lead role as John Luther in the BBC One psychological crime thriller "Luther," earning a Screen Actors Guild Award. Marvel Cinematic Universe fans recognize him as Heimdall, while he also joined "The Rock" and Jason Statham in "Hobbs and Shaw." Elba’s extensive voice acting portfolio includes Chief Bogo in "Zootopia," Shere Khan in "The Jungle Book," Fluke in "Finding Dory," and currently, Knuckles the Echidna in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" franchise. In 2016, his contributions to drama were honored with an appointment as an Officer in the Order of the British Empire.
The year 2019 celebrated John Legend, the soulful singer-songwriter behind hits like "All of Me." Before his solo stardom, Legend honed his craft as a pianist for artists such as Lauryn Hill and contributed uncredited backing vocals to tracks by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. After signing with Kanye West’s GOOD Music, his 2004 debut album "Get Lifted" featured the hit "Ordinary People," achieving double-platinum certification. A Grammy powerhouse, Legend boasts an impressive 13 wins from 39 nominations, including three for Best R&B Album. His last visit to the Philippines was in 2018 for his Darkness and Light world tour.
In 2020, Michael B. Jordan, affectionately known as "MBJ," earned the title. His film career began in 2001 with "Hardball," but his breakthrough came in 2013 as Oscar Grant III in "Fruitvale Station," a role that led Time magazine to include him in their "30 people under 30 who changed the world." Jordan's fruitful collaboration with director Ryan Coogler continued through Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" duology and the horror film "Sinners." He also famously portrayed Adonis "Donnie" Creed in the "Creed" trilogy, making his directorial debut with "Creed III" in 2023.
The ever-charming Paul Rudd was crowned in 2021, a beloved figure to '90s kids for his role as Josh Lucas in the iconic teen comedy "Clueless." Rudd’s career spans a diverse range of projects, from supporting roles in "Romeo + Juliet" and "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" to memorable TV appearances in "Friends" as Mike Hannigan and more recently, Hulu’s "Only Murders in the Building." To comic book enthusiasts, he's best known as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he's a frequent collaborator with director Judd Apatow.
2022 saw Chris Evans, a key member of Marvel's "Original Six," take the mantle. Rising from early 2000s teen movies like "Not Another Teen Movie," Evans gained global recognition first as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in "Fantastic Four" and then, most famously, as Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU. His Captain America trilogy and "Avengers" films collectively grossed billions worldwide. A nostalgic callback to his Human Torch role even appeared in "Deadpool & Wolverine." Post-Captain America, he ventured into voice acting as Buzz Lightyear in 2022 and showcased his villainous side in the acclaimed 2019 mystery film "Knives Out."
In 2023, Patrick Dempsey, the Maine-based actor, captured hearts. His early film roles included 1987’s "In the Mood" and the rom-com "Can't Buy Me Love." However, Dempsey truly became a household name as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd in Shonda Rhimes' medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," where his on-screen romance with Meredith Grey became a cultural phenomenon. His enduring contributions to film and television were recognized in 2022 when he was inducted as a Disney Legend alongside fellow industry stalwarts.
The multi-talented actor and director John Krasinski was named Sexiest Man Alive in 2024. Best known for his iconic portrayal of Jim Halpert in NBC’s "The Office" from 2005 to 2013, a series where he also served as producer and director for several episodes. He later starred as the titular character and executive producer in the Amazon Prime Video series "Jack Ryan." Krasinski garnered critical acclaim for writing and directing the post-apocalyptic horror film "A Quiet Place," co-starring his wife Emily Blunt. Marvel fans also enjoyed his cameo as Earth 838’s Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in 2022’s "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
Finally, for its 40th anniversary, People magazine bestowed the 2025 Sexiest Man Alive title upon Jonathan Bailey. The British actor shot to global fame with his breakthrough role as Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest son in the hit Netflix series "Bridgerton," where his romance with Kate Sharma dominated season two. In 2023, he earned accolades for his role alongside Matt Bomer in the historical romance miniseries "Fellow Travelers," depicting male lovers during the McCarthyism era. Bailey is currently set to appear as Prince Fiyero Tigelaar in the highly anticipated "Wicked" and its sequel, and Dr. Henry Loomis in "Jurassic World Rebirth." Significantly, Bailey is also the first openly gay man to be featured on the People magazine cover, making his recognition a landmark moment.
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